Metal Hammer

December 1993

Various Artists - No Alternative

Arista

Nirvana enthusiasts will be delighted to know that their fave trio have contributed a "secret" track, 'Sappy', to this compilation.

That raw Nirvana sound can be found hidden away at the very end of the album. The rest of the set, recorded to benefit AIDS care, education and prevention, features several other big names, including Soundgarden, performing previously unreleased material. The mood of the album is mostly mellow, featuring some heavy lyrical themes, all relating to AIDS. 'Hold On' tackles the subject directly with the beautiful Sarah McLachlan praying for a dying friend, while Matthew Sweet makes a plea for acceptance on 'Superdeformed'.

The Goo Goo Dolls cover of 'Bitch' lifts the mood with some wicked guitar, while the Beastie Boys demolish the peace with 'It's The New Style'. And check out Soul Asylum's guitar-laden cover of the Marvin Gaye classic 'Sexual Healing'. David Pirner's rasping for some!!

Debi Taylor  3/5